An arsenal of resources for the fight against terrorism.

EDUCATION is an essential weapon in the fight against terrorism. Considerable information regarding trends, new threats, and potential solutions is available to security professionals through government publications and programs. An overview of some of these resources is provided below.

FBI. Every year, the FBI publishes an updated version of its tome, Terrorism in the United States. This year, a special edition covers the period between 1982-1992, addressing specific terrorist incidents, ten-year statistics, and general topical issues. Terrorism in the United States 1982-1992 is published by the FBI Terrorist Research and Analytical Center, Counterterrorism Section, Intelligence Division. To obtain a copy, call FBI headquarters at 202/324-3000 and ask for the Terrorism Section.

FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration maintains records of aircraft hijackings, bombing attacks, and other significant criminal acts against civil and general aviation interests worldwide. The FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security compiles the data into an annual publication, Criminal Acts Against Civil Aviation. Geographic overviews, feature articles, trends, and various chronologies of attacks are among the publication's offerings. To order a copy call National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at 703/487-4650 or write NTIS, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22151.

State Department. The U.S. Department of State recently established a new Consular Information Program (CIP) to provide U.S. citizens who are traveling or residing abroad with information on the risks they face. The new CIP replaces the Travel Advisory Program. The old program was considered confusing. Information is now easier to locate because it is arranged by country and warnings are more specific.

Two categories of information are available in the Consular Information Program. Travel warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Consular Information Sheets, which are available for every country of the world, provide information ranging from the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and unusual immigration practices to crime and security information. If a country is unstable but not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, an "Areas of Instability" section may be added to that country's Consular Information Sheet.

To hear the latest Travel Warnings and Consular Information, call the Citizens Emergency Center at 202/647-5225 from a touch-tone phone. The information can also be received free of charge through the Consular Affairs Bulletin Board (CABB) at 202/647-9225. The CABB can supply information about dual citizenship, visa requirements for foreigners, international adoptions, emergency services for Americans abroad, and passport applications. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings are also available through the Official Airlines Guide (OAG), which is on many on-line services. To find out which services carry OAG, call Electronic Edition at 800/323-4000.

The latest State Department updates can be obtained for a fee through ASISNET by accessing Pinkerton's Global Risk Network. Pinkerton's also provides risk assessments and analyses. ASISNET contains other news and association information. To join ASISNET, contact Information, Inc. at 202/429-8730.

The Overseas Security Electronic Bulletin Board provides this information as a free service to American firms doing business overseas, but these companies must first buy the software required for viewing the electronic bulletin board on-line. To apply for membership, contact the Executive Director, Overseas Security Advisory Council (DS/OSAC), U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-1003.

Other information can be found in the Department of State publication Terrorist Tactics and Security Practices, which was released February 1994. The publication identifies significant security concerns, terrorist tactics, techniques, and innovations, as well as suggesting possible countermeasures useful to potential victims. It includes a detailed look at specific incidents, as well as analysis of general issues, such as a discussion of the proliferation of man-portable, surface-to-air missiles (MANPADs) and the potential threat they may pose to civil aircraft. The publication ends with guidelines and procedures the State Department has established for the evacuation of U.S. Government personnel and private American citizens from areas experiencing civil unrest.

Terrorist Tactics complements an annual Department of State publication, Significant Incidents of Political Violence against Americans, which provides a comprehensive picture of political violence against American citizens and interests that occurred abroad during the year. Terrorist Tactics will be published on an unscheduled basis as information becomes available. To obtain copies of Terrorists Tactics and Security Practices and Significant Incidents of Political Violence against Americans, contact Margo Yates at 703/204-6130.

ASIS members can call the Information Resource Center for other sources of information. The IRC number is 202/312-6370.

Amy Benavides is a staff editor with Security Management.